Machine for stemming cherries.



F. E. SMITH.

MACHINE FOR. STEMMING CHERRIES.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 13, 1913.

Patented Oct. 28, 1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

A km W b N b A& 5% 000000 0000000 00 000000 0000000 0 000000 0000000 OQOOO QOOO N0 @000 CO w .i k a w a o a a o 0 A W 0 'Q-ODOUQO DQOOOQOODOID M nmi w Qb 1 s -W N MN m m COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH CO1.W'\SIIINKITOND.C

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 13, 1913 Patented Oct. 28, 1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRM'H c0.. WASHINGTON, n. c.

P. E. SMITH.

MACHINE FOR STEMMING-OHERRIES.

APPLIGATION FILED JAN.13, 1918 Patented Oct. 28, 1913.

4 SHEETSSHEBT 3.

l) i: If FM :2 f

WASHINGTON, n. c.

F. B. SMITH.

MACHINE FOR STEMMING CHERRIES.

APPLICATION TILED JAN.13,1918.

Patented Oct. 28, 1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

s u QM ET ST AK FRANK Renews SMITH, or rononro, ONTARIO, CANADA.

MacHInn FOR srnlrzinrne CHERRIES.

Ti .llWi/Tiiet.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 28, .i 91.2

Application filed January 13. 1913. Serial No. 741,657.

To all whom it may concern it known that I, FRANK ROBBINS SMITH, a citizen of the United States of America, residing; at the city of Toronto, in

tie count of York Province of Untario Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in li'iachines 'lt'or Steinininlp' Cherries, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to iniprovenients in machines for stemming cherries, and the principal object of my invention is to design a machine 01' this class whereby a cherry stennned through a hole, by means operat ing therethrongh, and in such a manner as to positively detach the cherry from its stem and without injuring the fruit.

Another object of my invention is to provide means to etude the cherry-stems so that they will be positioned properly so as not to be m it by the stoinming elements.

A still further object of my invention is to iil'tfl'it'lt. automatic means for pulling; apart the stems of. cherries that are tied to- ,Iether so as to insure the successful. operation of the machine.

A still :it'trther object: oi my invention is to design a particular type of plunger which performs the function of removing the cherry from its stern, so that the stem will not he cut duringthis operation.

A still further object oi? my invention is to combine with each plunger or stennning eleinenn met as to prevent the same from be coming clogged.

Further objects of iny invention will be set forth in the following; specification.

Broadly considered, the preferred form of invention comprises a rotary cylinder pro vided with a plurality of holes designed to receive the cherries; a plurality of plunoperatine' thron rh said holes at certain times so to detach the cherries from their stems: means for holding the stems of the cherries as the cherries are being" separated from their stems: means for guiding" the stems of the cherries so that the same will. be ultimately positioned to insure the suc eessf'ul operation of the machine. and automatic means operating to rake apart or sep arate the tied stems oi. cherries. as hereinafter more Dftl'ijiCHlfillV set forth. 1

in the following specification 1 shall doiho what I consider to be the best embodiment ot my iiwention. and I desire it to he understood that the principles can. be

embodied in diil erent -tor-ins and I desire not to be limited. beyond the requirements of the prior art and the terms of my claims.

Figure 1. is. in part, a vertical central lonniittulinal section through the cylinder oi. my machine and parts carried thereby. and a side elevation oi" the means for holding the cherry stems and removing the fruit therefrom and opert'iting' parts therefor. Fig. 2 a vertical cross section on the line 2-9., Fig. 1. l ies. 3 and -.'L are. respectively, elevations oi. the left-hand and rig'lit-lland ends of the machine illustrated in Fig. 1; Fig.3. a detail view showing the operatinn pawl for the cylinder. and its support int; parts. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of portion oi. the means for separtrt in the tied stems of the cherries and positioning the same heli'ore the stieaiming-elements operate. Fig. 7 is a vertical cross section through portion the cylinder and the mounted t-herewithin. and through one of the planners and supporting part therefor and through means tor holding; the cherry stems. the position of the parts showing the action oi. one of. the planners-4 in separating a cherry from its stein. Fig. S is a perspective View, from the underside. of one of the phingers .i'or removing the tizherries from their stems. tion on the line 3-- 3, Fig. 1. Fig; 10 is a vertical cross section through portion of the cylinder showing tlie pilot plunger coactinn therewith. Fin-.11 is a vertical lon e itnrlinal section through portion of the cylinder showing in side elevation a number of plunners operating throiije'h holes therein. and showing the relatiye length. of the pilot pioneer in respect oi. the other planners. Fitz. 12 is a horizontal longitudinal section on the line i i. Fig. 7, showing the plunzfers in the presser bar. Fig: 13 is a perspective view of one of the blocks mounted in the presscr bar to prevent the preferred form of plunger-s from becoming; clogged. and 14 is a horizontal cross section on the line 5-5. Fig. 6.

in "the drawings. like characters of reference indicate corresponding pai-ij-s in each figure.

tilthouggjh l dest'zrihe this machine for use in connection with mister iin r cherries. still it wil] he imderstood that it may be also hi'iilt to iinsten: such. fruit as phnns.

1-K areany snitahle standards, in the upper end at whicl i hashearing' the drji'vesliaft YB,

shield Fin. 9 is a vertical cross sec C is the cylinder, which may be mounted in the frame of the machine after any suitable construction. In order that may house a chute and certain other parts connected therewith, within the said cylinder, I prefer to use stub shafts as means for mounting the same in place. D is one stub shaft held in th bearing E, mounted on this shaft are spit 1 which are suitably connected together end G of the said cylinder.

H is a stub shaft whic bearing l Keyed to this sl a SUlClcl J in which are journaled a plurality of rolers K. These rollers rest against the end ll of the cylinder C, and as this cylinder rotates this end of the same has bearing on the said rollers.

M is a suitable chute which is mounted within the cylinder G by any suitable in ans. My preferred means consists of a bracket ll loosely mounted on the stub shaft D and suitably supporting the upper end of the said chute. O is a braket journaled l e stub shaft H. This bracket is suitabl connected to the side walls P of the said chute, and by means of the same the lower portion of said chute is jcurnaled on the stub shaft H.

Q, is the plunger bar, the suns of which operate in vertical slots formed in the standards A. S are a pair of eccentrics keyed to the shaft B, and through the medium of the stray members T and the pins U, the said plunger bar is connected to the said eccentrics. Mounted in the said plunger bar are a plurality of plungers V, and these plungers operate through holes TV formed in the presser bar 2 which is positioned underneath the said plunger bar Q. The said presser bar 2 is designed to be depressed and elevated at certain times. I preferto give these movements to the said presscr bar by the following means: Operating through holes 8 formed in the ends l of the plunger bar Q are rods 5 in the brackets 6 of which are mounted rollers 7. By any suitable means, the preferred construction of which will be hereinafter particularly described, the lower ends of the said rods 5 are secured in the outer ends of the presser bar 2. 8 are cams keyed to the drive shaft B which coact with the roller 7 to de ress the resser bar 2 at certain P P tunes. 9 1s the drive pulley keyed to the that the said the distance 18 w ich is in the at a time. In order to insure cylinder will only o moved mentioned, I provide a pawl keyed to the rock shaft 19 journaled bracket 20 Carri d by one the standards A. Keyed to the said rock shaft is an arm 21, in the upper end or which is journaled a roller is a c in l' ed to the drive shaft l3. in due corn -e face 2i; of the '13 comes in contact with the roller 22,

' the arm 21 in the direction arrow and so lithe pawl 18 the ratchet 25. So

cylinder of the indicated by out of engagement with seen as the pawl 16 has moved th distance, the out of contac ting the sprin 21 V C the desired can: inoyes 22 thus permit nects the an chine} to draw the arm 21 the pawl 18 into t e position illustrated in Fig. 4i, when L o q: pawl will engage with one of the eth of the ratchet 25 and so prevent furyement of the said c linder. The said cylinder is provided with a plurality of holes 27, and as the angers V operate throu these holes in un inning the cher ries, it 18 most essential Llnu the movemc of the cyinder C be of a predeter ed amount.

28 is a shield semi-circular in shape, and operating within the cy .nder C and adjacent the side thereof which receives the fruit. This shield secured by any suitable means, as li -izi by son ws to he bar secure, to one the w is a strip o rubber of the desired stillness which is clamped between the bar 33 and upper end of the shield 28, by any suit able means, such as bolts The rubber strip 32 is really an extension of the shield 28, and it is used so as not to bruise the fruit.

The function of the shield .28 and the rubher strip 32 is to prevent the unstemnied cherries from passing through the holes 27. The unstemmed cherries pass from the hopper or chute 35 into the holes 27, and through the movementgiyen the cylinder C, the chc. ies in one row of holes at a time are positioned underneath the lungers V.

Any suitable means, inountet in he mouth of the hopper or chute 35, may be employed to prevent cherries the maw .ich is suitably of the chute M.

tie from crowding against the presser bar, to insure the cherries passing down int the holes 2?. My preferred means for this purpose compr ses a cylin ical-shaped brush 36 which i keyed messes M. The function of the presser bar 2 is to hold the stems of the cherries when the plungers V are pushing the fruit therefrom.

Tllhrough the operation of the eccentrics E, the plunger bar Q, is ele ated, and when the ends -lthereof come in contact with the brackets 6 of the rods 5, the presser bar is oi" course elevated, and it is held elevated until the cherry a for example is positioned :uiderneath one of the plungers V, when the earns S coact with the rollers 7 and depress the presser bar, thus clamping the foot l) thereof (which preferably made of rubber) down upon the stem of this cherry. immediately this operation is performed, the plunger is depressed and so removes the cherry c from its stem. The unstennned cherries drop on to the chute M and pass by gravity out of the machine. ll hen the cherry a occupies the position illustrated in Fig. 7 previous to the depression or the presser bar 2, the rubber strip extends underneath the hole containing this cherry liar enough to permitthis chery to rest thereon and prevent it from falling out of the hole: this position ot the said rubber strip is shown by dotted lines. By means hereinafter particularly described, the chute lid, is vibrated on. the shafts ll end B so is to more the shield 28 far enough in the di rection indicated. by arrow in Fig, 7. so as to more the rubber strip out of the path. of movement of the cherry c after the loot 1) has been pressed down upon the stern there of. It will therefore be understood that there will be nothing" in the path ct mor ment of the cherry a when the plunger unstennning the smile is depressed. Immediately the cherry a drops, the rubber strip 82 is brought back to normal bosition. Upon referring particularly to Fig. 6, it will he noticed that there is en iinperlorate longitudinal strip of the cylinder C between each row of holes 27, and this strip forms who" I term the bed 6 against which the stems of the cherries are held by the presserbar 2. The presser foot 2' is else prrwided with foot (Z, and the function of this foot d to hold the loose Steins when the plunger-s are depressed to prevent them. as :l'nnch as possible, from passing into the cylinder. From the foregoing part of the specilicatirm it will be understood that each time the cylinder C moved, a bed (1 will be positioned underneath the feet 6 and a. The plungers V are withdrawn from the holes 27 before the presser bar 2 is raised so as to prevent, as much possible, the loose. stems from clogging the 'plungcrs.

42 is a strip of flexible materiel, such as rubber, which is suitably clumped between the bar 43 and one of the sides P oi the chute, by bolts 4-4:. This strip 42 projects above the side walls P and is provided to prevent the fruit which comes in contact therewith :lronrbeing bruised. i shall now describe the preferred means for vibrating the chute lll: {i5 is a plutc secured by our suitable .lllclillt-l such as a bolt ill to one end oi the plunger bar Q4. l oriued in the lower end at this plate is a slot "l7. slfl is a roller mounted on the pin t which is cari...l the bracket '0. The pin ll) extends thru the slot 5(3- torined in one oi. the arms of the spider J. l' l hen the plate 45 occupies the position illustrated in l 3, the plunlrcrs V occupy their highest po. tion. litter the pro r her 2 has been operated to clamp the cherry stems down upon one of the beds 0, the shoulder :31 of the plate conres in contact with the roller ll} and by means of the pin 49 mores the chntr. J i on its hearing members, and so moves the shield 28 and. strip 32 into the position slu'nvn in full lines in Fig. 7. After the cherries have been unstcnuned and just before the plui'igers V reach the limit oi": their hipjhest movement, the shouhler 52 of the plate -fl-5 comes in contact with the l( .r +8 and through the parts already described moves the chute hi to occupy the position shown. in l i thus moving}; the strip 32 into dotted p ion shown in his. 7. is the plate 4,5 is recip rocnted, the movements described are siren to the chute M and the parts supported thereoy. n

These n'iorainents resultin sha,.. I the said chute back and forth smut-what riolcntly so as to prevent the clogg pino; of the stemmed (.l'lfilllQS in the chute.

l have found from QXIQOllIlHEHlT lhat some means must be provided to guide the stems of l'hecherrics into a certain posi [on so that the shine will not be so by the plungen V. l have found thr. when a cylindrical shaped plunger operates tlu-ougrh the holes 27. it is liable to cut the stem. iniless the plungers be constructed to prevent this. My preferred construction ct plunp ers consists in providing the same down one side thereof rith a lo tiulinal groove These longitudinal grooves open to the outer surface of the said plan rs and are faced toward that side of the cylinder C which receive the nnstcn'nned f uit. Jis each plunger is provided in its upper end with a hole 54. l'l]l,'0ll,l1 which a key passes, the soul. plungers are securely held in the plunger bar Q and locked so that the said gnroores 53 will always occupy the position already described.

'36 are a plurality oi 'uidingg plates which are secured by any suit lcle nice iuch screws 5?". to the aisle side of the supporting; bar 58- which is posi .oned preferably close to one side ot' the presser bar 2. and. shove the cylinder F. This suppo ting'bar is con nected at each end to plates one only of which is shown). These plates are positioned preferably against the inner sides oi? the standards A and are secured thereto by intense Since the said pilot plunger is longer than the other plungers, it will, when the machine is not alining the holes 27 with the plungers V, prevent the plungcrs V from being injured by contact with the said cylinder.

i prefer to mount the presser-bar 9, on the rods 5 so that the position of the same may be regulated on the rods 5 so as to adjust the pressure of the feet Z) and oi down upon the beds c. It will be understood that if these feet benot held with sutlicient force down upon the stems, the stems will pull through with the cherries. Now to prevent this, I may use any suitable construction to adjust the pressure of the said presser-bar. through the medium of the feet 5 and (Z against the cylinder C. My preferred con struction consists in providing each end of the p-resser-bar with achamber a into which extends the lower end of the rods 5. Each lower end of the rods 5 is provided with a longitudinal threaded hole into whichscrews the threaded shank 0 of the screw 79. Surrounding the lower end of each rod 5 positioned in the said chambers 11., and held in place by the heads of the screws 7;, is a coiled spring g. Screwing on the threaded portion r of each rod 5 is an adjusting nut 8. By loosening the nuts .9, the springs will force the presser-bar E2 upward against these nuts and so lighten the pressure of the presserbar upon the cherry stems. It will be clear to one skilled in this art that while the presser-bar must hold the cherry stems from slipping when the cherries are being r moved therefrom, the pressure of this presser-bar must not be great enough to crush the said stems, otherwise there is danger of the stem being torn apart, and the part connected with the cherry passing through with the cherry on to the chute M.

In one side of the lower ends of the rods 5 is formed a longitudinal slot 21', and extending into this slot is a plate a which is secured to the presser bar 2 by any suitable- .means, such as a screw v.

The construction just described permits the adjustment of the .presser-bar on the rods 5, and at the same time cops the rollers 7 in alinement with the cams 8.

As a certain amount of the detached stems pass into the chute M, in order to prevent the same from accumulating suilicient-ly within the said chute to cause the jamming of the cherries therein, I prefer to use a water pipe to positioned as shown in the said chute with the discharge end at thereof at the upper end of the chute. "When i. use this water pipe, I will pass the same through the stub shaft H, which will then be constructed hollow as illustrated.

Any suitable means, such as a rotary brush 2 may be used to clean the surfaceof the cylinder 0 from loose stems and so re lieve thebrush 36 of more or less work.

Upon referring to Fig. 7 it will be noticed that the screw 29 is provided with a rights hand and left-hand thread. The corresponding crew at the right-hand end of theshield in Fig. 1. is similarly threaded. By manipulating these screws in the same direction, the position of the shield 28 and strip 32 in respect of the inner side of the cylinder C can be regulated. The portion of the screw 29 as shown in Fig. 7 which operates through the bar 31, is provided with a left.- hand thread so that as this screw is turned in either direction, .the position of the end of the shield 28 held thereby will be ad.- justed in respect of the cylinder G.

90 is a band friction-brake which is pro vided with shoes 91 which coact with the end L of ithecylinderifl to prevent the overthrow of this cylinder when moved by the pawl 16. This brake may be mounted in position after any suitable manner, and the construction illustrated in Fig. 3 may be employed for this purpose. Since the construction mounting this brake in place does not form a part of my invention, further description thereof is unnecessary.

il b at Tlclaim vas my invention is:

l. in a machine of the class described, the combination with a member provided with a plurality of holes passing therethrough,eaoh hole designed to receive a cherry at a time, means enacting with said member to :hold the stems of the cherries while the chernies are being separated therefrom; means for reciprocating said means in respect of said member; a plurality of members, each reciprocating through its associated one of said holes to unstem the cherries while the stems thereof are held by said holding means, and means for reciprocating said l.astn'ie11tioned members.

in a machine of the class described, the

combination with a member provided with a plurality of holes passing therethrough, each hole designed to receive .a cherry at a time, of a plurality of members, each reciprocating through its associated one of said holes whereby the cherry therein while being pushed therethrough is separated from its stem; means for holding the stems of the cherries during imstemn'iing, and means for operating said members and said stem-holding means.

In amachine of the class described, the combination with a member provided with a plurality of holes passing therethrough, each hole designed to receive a cherry a time, of means enacting with said member to hold the stems of the cherries while the cherries are being separated therefrom; means for reciprocating said means in iresoect ofsaid member; a plurality of plungers, each operating through its associated one of said holes to .unstem :the cherries while the stems thereof are being held :hy

izs

said holding-means, and each provided in its outer side with a longitudinal groove which opens through to the lower end thereof means in which said plungers are mounted so that the grooves thereof will face toward the unstemmed fruit placed in the machine; means for reciprocating said plungtrs; means positioned in advance of said stem-holding means for the purpose of positioning the stems of the cherries so that their inner portions thereof will be in the path of movement of said grooves when said plungers descend, and means for separating any of the stems that may be tied.

4-. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a rotary cylinder provided with a plurality of holes passing therethrough and alined both longitudinally and circumferentially in parallel rows; a frame in which said c linder is mounted and means for moving said cylinder at given intervals predetermined distances, of means coacting with said cylinder to hold the stems of the cherries positioned in the said holes while the said cherries are being separated therefrom; means for reciprocating said means in respect of said cylinder; a plurality of members, each operating through its associated one of said holes to unstem the cherries while the stems thereof are being held by said holding means, and means for reciprocating said last-mentioned members.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a rotary cylinder provided with a plurality of holes passing therethrough and alined. both longitudinally and circumterentially in parallel rows; a frame in which said cylinder is mounted, and means for moving said cylinder at given intervals predetermined distances, of means coacting with said cylinder to hold the stems of the cherries positioned in the said holes while the said cherries are being separated therefrom; means for reciprocating said means in respect or" said cylinder; a plurality of members, each operating through its associated one oi said holes to unstem the cherr'es while the stems thereof are being held by said holding means; means for reciprocating said last-mentioned members; a member positioned within said cylinder and operating to prevent the unstemmed cherries from passing through the holes they occupy, and means for shifting said member so th at it will be mored out of the path of movement of the cherries that are being separated from their stems.

6. In a machine of the class described, the combination "ith a rotary cylinder p ovided with a plurality of holes passing therethrough and alined both longitudinally and circumferentially in parallel rows; a frame in which said cylinder is mounted, and means for moving said cylinder at given intervals predetermined distances, of means coacting with said cylinder to hold the stems of the cherries positioned in the said holes while the said cherries are being separated therefrom; means for reciprocating said means in respect of said cylinder; a plurality of members, each operating through its associated one of said holes to unstem the cherries while the stems thereoi are being held by said holding means; means for reciprocating said last-mentioned members; a member positioned within said cylinder and operating to prevent the unstemmed cherries from passing through the holes they occupy; means for shifting said member so that it will be moved out of the path or movement of the cherries that are being separated from their stems, and a chute mounted within said cylinder and connected to said last-mentioned member and moving therewith.

7. in a machine of the class described, the combination with a rotary cylinder provided with a plurality of holes passing theretl ough and alined both longitudinally and circumferentially in parallel rows; means for moving said cylinder atgiven intervals predetermined distances, of a presser bar longitudinally provided with a plurality of alined holes; a plunger bar positioned above said presser bar; a plurality of plungers carried by said presser bar and extending therebelow, each of the said plungers operating in its associated hole formed in said presser bar; means for reciprocating said plungubar; means whereby said presser bar is reciprocated; a resilient toot carried by said presser bar and extending therebelow and designed to press down upon sa' cylinder to hold the s ems of the cherries w ile the cherries are being removed there from by said plungers; amember positioned within said cylinder and operating to prevent the unstemmed cherries from passing throug the holes they occupy; and means for sin ng said member so that it will be moved out of the path of movement of the cherries that are being separated from their stems.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a member provided with a plurality of holes passing therethrough, each hole designed to receive a cherry at a time, of means coacting with said member to hold the stems of the cherries while the cherries are being separated therefrom; means for reciprocating said means in respect of said member; a plurality of plungers, each operating through its associated one of said holes LO unstem the cherries while the stems thereof are being held by said holding-means, and each provided in its outer side with a longitudinal groove which opens through to the lower end thereof; means in which said plungers are mounted so that the grooves thereof will face toward the unstelnmed fruit placed in the machine; means for reciprocating said plungers; a plurality of guiding plates positioned in advance of said stem-holding means, each spaced apart and provided with pointed ends; a supporting bar to which said guiding plates are secured, and means operating in advance of said stem-holding means for the purpose of separating any of the sten s that may be tied.

9. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a member provided with a phirality of holes passing therethrough, each hole designed to receive a cherry at a time, of means coactinp; with said member to hold the stems of the cherries while the cherries are being separated therefrom; means for reciprocating said means in respect of said member; a plurality of plungers, each operating throu h its associated one of said holes to unstem the cherries while the stems thereof are being held by said holding-means, and each provided in its outer side with a longitudinal groove which opens througl'i to the lower end thereof; means in which said PlUHgOIS are mounted so that the grooves thereof will. face toward the unstemmed fruit placed in the machine; means for reciprocating said plungers; a plurality of guiding plates posit-ioned in advance said stem-holding means, each spaced apart, and each provided with a pointed end and a longitudinal slot; a suppciting-bar to which said guiding-plates are secured; a rockingbar; a plurality of fingers carried by said rocking bar, and depending therebelow, the lower ends of said fingers operating; in the slots formed in said guiding-plates, and means for actuating said rocking-bar in order to cause the said fingers to separate the tied stems.

10. in a machine of the class described, the combination with a member provided with a plurality of holes passing therethrough, each hole designed to receive a cherry at a time, of means coactiug with said member to hold the stems of the cherries while the cherries are being separated therefrom; means for reciprocating said means in respect of said member; a plurality of plunger-s each operating through its associated one of said holes, and each being provided in its outer side with a longitudinal groove which opens through to the lower end thereof, the said lower end of *aeh plunger being;- concaved; means for reciprocatinp,- said plungers, and means mounted in each of the grooves of the said plungers to prevent the same from clogging up.

11. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a member provided with a pluality of holes passing there through, each hole designed to receive a che y at a time, of reci iirocatiup; means coac with said member whereby a, cherry at a time is detached from its stem while being; pushed through its associated hole by said rcciprocatiilgmeans; means for operating said rechorocatiug means, and means for separating any of the stems that may be tied.

12. in a machine oil. the class described, the combination with a rotary cylinder provided with a plurality of holes passing; therethrough and alined. both longitudinally and circumferentially in parallel rows; a frame in which said cylinder is mounted; means for moving said cylinder at given intervals predetermined distances; means coacting with said cylinder to hold the stems pf the cherries positioned. within the said holes while the said cherries are being separated therefrom; means for operating said stein-holding means; a plurality of plungers, each ope iting through its associated one of said holes to uustom the cherries while the stems thereof are being held, and means for reciprocating said plungors, of a plurality of aiding plates, spaced apart, ar-d each cariied by a member carried by ed frame, in advance of said stenrholding means, and means coz'icting with said guidlug plates to separate any of the stems that may be tied.

13. in a machine of the class described, the combination with a presser bar provided with a row of alined holes; a plunger bar positioned above said n'esser bar; a plurality of plungers carried by said plunger bar and extending therebolow and operating through d holes; a pilot 1:)lung'er, longer than the by said plunger bar Fin other plungers, carried and substantially midway the ends thereof, same being provided with a plurality of longitu ii ribs which operate in. vertical grooves rormed in the sides of the hole in said presser-bar through which said pilot plunger operates, the edp s of the lower end of said pilot plunger bei rounded; a suit able frame for supporth the beforeonen tioned elements, and means for operating said pr er foot and said plunger bar.

1 h a new article of manufacture, a cherry sten'nninp; plunger cylindrical in shape and provided in one side with a longitudinal groove which opens to the outer surfacthereof and through to the lower end thereof, the said lower end being coneavmi.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for live cents each, by addressing the flommissioner of Patents,

- Washington, D. G. 

